In the aftermath of a mental health crisis, comparing levels of mental health care plans can feel like an overwhelming task. But it can be as simple as reading an article. Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) and partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) are common and effective—and at Apex Recovery, we offer both. We handle the outpatient treatment comparisons to find the right personalized plan for you.
What are IOPs and PHPs?
On the spectrum of mental health disorder treatment, both IOPs and PHPs fall somewhere in the middle. They provide more support than regular outpatient therapy without requiring inpatient hospitalization.
Understanding Partial Hospitalization Programs?
More intense than IOPs, PHPs entail a significant time commitment: You’ll spend most of your day at a treatment center—roughly six hours per day, 5-7 days per week. Alongside individual therapy and medication management, you’ll also attend group sessions and skill-building workshops, all with the goal of providing hospital-level care.
At our San Diego outpatient rehab center, we typically recommend PHPs to folks who have recently been discharged from an inpatient facility, are experiencing severe symptoms that impact their daily lives, or need intensive support throughout the day. However, you don’t have to make that decision yourself! Give us a call, and one of our team members will help you determine if a PHP is right for you.
Understanding Intensive Outpatient Programs?
Though not as strict as PHPs, IOPs still provide substantial care: A personalized rehab plan will likely have you attending treatment three hours per day, 3-5 days per week. They’re easier to fit into an academic or professional schedule—but that doesn’t mean they’re less effective.
Our IOPs still incorporate holistic and evidence-based therapies, but their smaller time commitment helps patients maintain more of their regular routine. We typically recommend them to people who are stable enough to get through most of the day without clinical supervision or who need help reintegrating after completing a PHP or inpatient program.
The Key Differences Between IOPs and PHPs
You can compare these methodologies according to five main criteria:
- Time commitment. The average PHP will take up roughly 30-42 hours of your week, while an IOP takes up 9-15.
- Intensity of care. PHPs offer more intensive monitoring and support, while IOPs offer focused sessions with greater independence in between.
- Flexibility: PHPs require you to dedicate most of your day to treatment, while IOPs afford more time for work, school, and personal responsibilities.
- Clinical supervision. PHPs include regimented check-ins with clinical staff, while IOPs call for regular, but less frequent, contact.
- Cost. PHPs generally cost more than IOPs, due to the increased care they provide.
Comparing Outpatient Treatment Options
Both IOPs and PHPs work more effectively than once-a-week therapies, but they’re designed for different people. If you’re choosing between these two types of addiction recovery programs, consider the following questions:
- How much do your current symptoms affect your day-to-day life?
- Do you have family, friends, or another support network that you can lean on between sessions?
- Can you take time off from work or school to get the help you need?
- Do you need extra help to ensure relapse prevention, or are you stable enough to manage on your own?
- What type of mental health treatment does your insurance plan cover?
Why Apex Recovery is the Right Choice for Both IOPs and PHPs
Compared to other San Diego outpatient treatment centers, we take a more personal approach: Each case begins with an individualized intake, carried out by our compassionate staff, that helps us determine which methodologies to implement to achieve the best outcome for you. What’s more: We specialize in dual diagnosis treatment, helping us tackle any comorbidities you may suffer from.
Ultimately, Apex Recovery puts people first—and that makes all the difference.